(January 10, 2011)

As part of a leading global supplier of rolling bearings, engine components, torque converters and clutches, the Schaeffler Group North America has kept the local automotive industry moving for more than five decades.

Serving as a development partner with system expertise for the entire drivetrain, the company manufactures precision products for engines, transmissions and chassis applications that ensure reduced energy consumption and lower emissions, as well as increased driving comfort and safety.

With 6,000 employees and its headquarters in Fort Mill, S.C., the Schaeffler Group USA serves all North American automotive OEMs through its three brands: INA; LuK; and FAG. Through these brands, the company works to continually address the challenges that its customers face daily and, as a result, has focused its development efforts on advanced engines and drivetrain systems and technologies.

These efforts are driven by the nearly 350 engineers and technical staff operating out of our major development centers in close proximity to customers. In North America alone, the Schaeffler Group has four research and development (R&D) centers – including a 78,000-square-foot Automotive Center in Troy, Mich. – to help foster the continued development of the Schaeffler brands.

Further, the company’s North American development centers are part of a global network of R&D facilities that contribute to a dynamic and synergistic exchange of technology. While strongly connected, these centers manage projects independently, thus eliminating the time lag many automotive suppliers endure while they gain approval or get results from an overseas headquarters. All together, the Schaeffler Group’s dedicated R&D efforts result in an average of 1,100 LuK, FAG and INA inventions registered for patents each year.

Once its products are developed, the Schaeffler Group works alongside its customers to further tailor its solutions to meet the unique needs of the North American market through its manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina, Missouri and Ohio; Ontario, Canada; and Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico.

As a result of this collaborative approach, the Schaeffler Group has recently introduced numerous products and technologies that address the fundamental challenges that the auto industry is facing, such as reducing vehicle emissions and weight, increasing fuel efficiency and enabling hybrid technologies.

Engine technologies focused on the challenges of direct injected, turbo-charged gasoline engines, such as cylinder deactivation and variable cam timing, are designed and developed the company’s facility in Troy. The most recent example is the UniAir, the first production continuously variable valvetrain, which began in cooperation with Fiat and this year marks the start of full series production here in North America.

Innovative transmission components, such as Centrifugal Pendulum Absorbers, which isolate engine vibration in torque converters, and low friction Tandem Ball Bearings, which eliminate the losses of tapered roller bearings, are also developed directly in the region. The first production, fully electro-mechanical, dry double clutch automatic transmission was developed by the company’s North American staff.

Chassis components, such as ball screws and bearings for Electric Power Assisted Steering and Tandem Ball Bearings for wheel and axle applications, are enabled by regional development teams. Further, advanced solutions, such as disconnect clutches and dampers for hybrid powertrains and components for electric vehicles, were invented and supported by local advanced development staff.

Moving forward, the Schaeffler Group USA is eager to continue building on its record 2010 performance in the North American automotive industry. By continuing to focus on its customers and key R&D efforts, the company is hopeful that it will keep the local marketplace in motion for many decades to come.

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